10. Pittsburgh (2-1)
Last week: 10
Michael Vick can author an incredible comeback story if he can help the Steelers win while Ben Roethlisberger recovers from a knee injury.

10. Pittsburgh (2-1)
Last week: 10
Michael Vick can author an incredible comeback story if he can help the Steelers win while Ben Roethlisberger recovers from a knee injury.

Photo: Tom Gannam, Associated Press

Image 24 of 33

9. Buffalo (2-1)
Last week: 11
In Rex Ryan’s first season as coach, the Bills are the third highest-scoring team in the NFL, averaging 33.3 points a game.

9. Buffalo (2-1)
Last week: 11
In Rex Ryan’s first season as coach, the Bills are the third highest-scoring team in the NFL, averaging 33.3 points a game.

Photo: Lynne Sladky, Associated Press

Image 25 of 33

8. Dallas (2-1)
Last week: 3
If the defense doesn’t play better than in the 39-28 home loss to Atlanta, the Cowboys are going to lose without Tony Romo and Dez Bryant.

8. Dallas (2-1)
Last week: 3
If the defense doesn’t play better than in the 39-28 home loss to Atlanta, the Cowboys are going to lose without Tony Romo and Dez Bryant.

Photo: Michael Ainsworth, Associated Press

Image 26 of 33

7. Carolina (3-0)
Last week: 9
The Panthers should thank the schedule-makers for their unbeaten start. They played the Jaguars, Texans and Saints, who are a combined 2-7.

7. Carolina (3-0)
Last week: 9
The Panthers should thank the schedule-makers for their unbeaten start. They played the Jaguars, Texans and Saints, who are a combined 2-7.

Photo: Bob Leverone, Associated Press

Image 27 of 33

6. Atlanta (3-0)
Last week: 8
The Falcons are the first team to start 3-0 despite trailing in the fourth quarter of each game.

6. Atlanta (3-0)
Last week: 8
The Falcons are the first team to start 3-0 despite trailing in the fourth quarter of each game.

Photo: Brandon Wade, Associated Press

Image 28 of 33

5. Denver (3-0)
Last week: 6
Gary Kubiak wisely adjusted his offense to allow Peyton Manning to use the shotgun. The result is a more comfortable and confident Manning.

5. Denver (3-0)
Last week: 6
Gary Kubiak wisely adjusted his offense to allow Peyton Manning to use the shotgun. The result is a more comfortable and confident Manning.

Photo: Rick Osentoski, Associated Press

Image 29 of 33

4. Cincinnati (3-0)
Last week: 5
In the win at Baltimore, receiver A.J. Green had 10 catches for 227 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner with 2:10 left.

4. Cincinnati (3-0)
Last week: 5
In the win at Baltimore, receiver A.J. Green had 10 catches for 227 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner with 2:10 left.

Photo: Patrick Semansky, Associated Press

Image 30 of 33

3. Arizona (3-0)
Last week: 4
Carson Palmer is 16-2 in his last 18 starts. The Cardinals lead the league in scoring with 42 points a game.

3. Arizona (3-0)
Last week: 4
Carson Palmer is 16-2 in his last 18 starts. The Cardinals lead the league in scoring with 42 points a game.

Photo: Rick Scuteri, Associated Press

Image 31 of 33

2. Green Bay (3-0)
Last week: 2
Thanks to Aaron Rodgers’ five touchdown passes in the Monday victory over Kansas City, the Packers are off to their best start since 2011.

2. Green Bay (3-0)
Last week: 2
Thanks to Aaron Rodgers’ five touchdown passes in the Monday victory over Kansas City, the Packers are off to their best start since 2011.

Photo: Morry Gash, Associated Press

Image 32 of 33

1. New England (3-0)
Last week: 1
Tom Brady, who has nine touchdowns and no interceptions, is the first quarterback in history to help his team score at least 40 points in 31 games.

1. New England (3-0)
Last week: 1
Tom Brady, who has nine touchdowns and no interceptions, is the first quarterback in history to help his team score at least 40 points in 31 games.

Photo: Stew Milne, Associated Press

Image 33 of 33

Seahawks gain ground in Week 3 NFL power rankings

1 / 33

Back to Gallery

The Seattle Seahawks secured their first win of the 2015 NFL season in dominant fashion Sunday, blanking the Chicago Bears 26-0 in front of more than 69,000 fans at CenturyLink Field.

The home opener was certainly a confidence booster for the 1-2 Hawks after tough road losses at St. Louis and Green Bay to start the season. And with the win, Seattle saw its stock rise in nearly all Week 3 NFL power rankings.

Among the national rankings, the ones from SB Nation's Danny Kelly were the lowest on the Seahawks, moving them up just two spots from their No. 16 ranking last week after the victory over a lowly Bears team. But Kelly was the only one who had the Hawks out of his top 10.

Schneider moved them up a whopping five spots after their effort against Chicago.

"With Kam Chancellor back in the mix at safety, we saw exactly what the defense was capable of again in Week 3," he wrote. "If the Seahawks want to get back to the elite level, though, they need to find ways to open up the offense to get Tyler Lockett and Jimmy Graham even more opportunities."

Photo: Steve Dykes, Getty Images

Seahawks TE Jimmy Graham celebrates with running back Fred Jackson after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at CenturyLink Field on September 27, 2015 in Seattle, Washington.

Seahawks TE Jimmy Graham celebrates with running back Fred Jackson...

Harrison echoed Scheider's sentiments, writing that the Hawks defense looked rejuvenated with Chancellor back in the fold after his nearly two-month-long contract holdout. That was enough for him to move them up three spots from No. 11.

"We don't see many shutouts these days in the NFL," Harrison wrote. "That was pure domination by the Kam Chancellor-sporting Seahawks on Sunday. ... Chancellor had a quiet day, but the Seahawks' D did not, allowing just 146 yards total. The Bears averaged 3.2 yards and a cloud of ground-up tires."

The composite rankings for both ESPN and USA Today placed the Seahawks at No. 7 overall, but they still had cause for concern.

"They're officially off the mat," USA Today's analysis read. "But another indication of O-line's ongoing struggles: Russell Wilson is on pace to be sacked 64 times."

Yahoo Sports' Frank Schwab was the highest on Seattle this week, ranking them No. 6 overall. That actually lowered them one spot from last week, as they swapped places with their NFC West division rival Arizona Cardinals, who are off to a blistering 3-0 start.

"If push came to shove, I'd pick them to beat the Cardinals on a neutral field, so I'm breaking a rule of my power rankings by ranking Seattle behind Arizona," Schwab wrote. "But the Seahawks still haven't looked quite right, on offense at least."

Check out the gallery above for this week's rankings from legendary Houston Chronicle NFL writer John McClain, a seattlepi.com content partner, to see where he had the Hawks after Week 3.